Wildcatters complete comeback, win in OT
May 2, 2010 - Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL)
Lafayette Wildcatters News Release
The Lafayette Wildcatters played its inaugural season home opener in the Cajundome Saturday, May 1, defeated its rival the Louisiana Swashbucklers 59-52 in the first overtime in 2010 season SIFL history
In their first possession, Wildcatter QB Bo Bartik fumbled the ball on the exchange from center. The Swashbucklers moved the ball to the Lafayette two after a questionable interference call in the end zone, and Marcus Wilridge scored the game's first touchdown on a post pattern, making the score 7-0.
The Wildcatters evened it up on its next possession on a 15-yard strike from Bartik to Clyde Edwards. Kicker Sean Comiskey then put the kickoff through the uprights, giving Lafayette an 8-7 lead.
On its second possession, the Swashbucklers took the lead on a Blake Bercegeay field goal that made the score 10-8 Louisiana.
Lafayette came back on its next offensive chance, when Edwards made a spectacular one-handed grab of a 15-yard Bartik pass. Comiskey's point after attempt was blocked though, and Louisiana's Mike English scored a two-point conversion, making the score 14-12 Lafayette.
Early in the second quarter, Louisiana's Sammy Knight scored on a 26-yard pass from Bartie, making it 19-14 Louisiana. They followed that up with a team safety, when Lafayette's Jamaal Young was flagged for holding in the end zone, making it 21-14.
The Wildcatters evened it up on the next possession though, when Clarence Pendleton made his second interception in three plays and scored. Lafayette went ahead on its next possession when Edwards hauled in another Bartik pass, making it 27-21 home team.
The Swashbucklers tied the score at the half on the strength of a Phillip O'Neal two-yard touchdown run. Bartik went 9 for 16 passes for 122 yards and one interception in the half. Edwards led in receiving yards with 81 and had three TDs.
Lafayette started off the second half with a Comiskey kickoff through the uprights giving the Wildcatters a brief one-point lead, but a quick touchdown gave the Swashbucklers a 34-28 lead.
The Wildcatters knotted it up with 3:20 left in the quarter when Scott Ryan hauled in a Bartik bomb that nearly flew the length of the field. After the PAT, the score was 35-34 Lafayette.
The Swashbucklers went ahead six seconds into the fourth on a safety, making the score 36-35 Louisiana. On the ensuing possession, Pendleton went for the interception on a Bartie pass, but came up empty, allowing the length-of-field TD to make it 43-35 Louisiana.
Things got heated in the fourth, when Lafayette WR Stephen Korte retaliated after a Mike English late hit, and was summarily ejected from the game.
Lafayette turned the ball over on downs on its own 20 after the ejection, and Louisiana took only two plays to score on a quick Bartie pass to Sammy Knight. They followed that up with a safety on Bartie, when he recovered his own fumble in the end zone, and the score was a daunting 52-35.
Comiskey helped out the Wildcatter cause on the kickoff, putting yet another one through the uprights to make it 36-52 with seven minutes left. Pendleton then intercepted Bartie on the next possession giving Lafayette the ball on the Swashbuckler 11 yard line, and Edwards caught a Bartik strike two plays later to make it 42-52. Edwards also brought in the pass for the two-point conversion to make it a one-possession game.
Louisiana fumbled on its first play from scrimmage, and big (6-foot-8-inch, 320-pound) lineman Eric Phillips recovered in the end zone. Another successful two-point conversion evened it up again at 52 with 2:00 left.
The Swashbucklers attempted a field goal on fourth down from its own 13, but the kick was blocked, and Lafayette's Stephen Barrett scooped it up to give the Wildcatters a chance. Comiskey missed a kick after the Wildcatters failed to capitalize on the turnover, and the score remained tied with Swashbucklers getting the ball on its own five.
Lafayette's defense held, though, bringing up a Louisiana field goal attempt. The kick was short, and Nate Banks brought it to the Louisiana 14 yard line with .5 seconds left. Comiskey, looking to redeem himself after his last miss, booted it wide right, and the game went into overtime.
Lafayette won the toss, and on second down in overtime, Bartik threw a perfectly timed pass to Edwards. Edwards was dazed on the tackle, but was able to walk off on his own power. With the ball on the Swashbuckler one yard line, Bartik took things into his own hands, and scampered in for the go ahead TD. After the PAT, the score was 59-52.
With the impetus on Louisiana to score a touchdown, Barrett jumped his receiver's route, and came up with a beautiful, game-winning interception. The win marks Lafayette's (1-3) first team victory and drops the Swashbucklers (2-3) below .500. Bartik went 18 for 35 passing for 220 yards. Edwards had 7 catches for 110 yards and 4 TDs.
by. William McDaniel
Southern Indoor Football League Stories from May 2, 2010
- SIFL FanZone Chat Monday Night - SIFL
- Wildcatters complete comeback, win in OT - Lafayette Wildcatters
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